“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road without thought on anything but the ride you are taking” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His fictional character, Sherlock Holmes, might have seen 19th century low-income Londoners getting around on bicycles. A bike co-op hopes Mailbag readers will help to ‘set wheels in motion’ in the Gate City.

‘People-helping-people’ get around town

“Gate City Bike Co-op collects unwanted bicycles, refurbishes them, and gives them away to low income individuals in the greater Nashua community,” writes John B. of Nashua, on behalf of the co-op (LTR 3,361). “Helmets and locks are given out when we have them. We also offer bicycle repairs at no cost to low income individuals on Mondays. The most requested bikes are men’s mountain or hybrid bikes, but we will gratefully accept almost anything. Individuals seeking a bike are asked to get a voucher from one of the social agencies such as the Nashua Soup Kitchen, Boys and Girls Club, Harbor Homes or any church or school. Voucher forms can also be found at the co-op or on our website. People wishing to donate bikes may drop them off at the co-op during our public hours on Mondays from 3-6 p.m., or call 759-9056 to make arrangements. Better bikes that we receive might be sold at a nominal fee to help fund the operation.

The co-op started in a local basement eight years ago and moved to the school in September 2017.

We are 100 percent volunteer run and depend on donations of bikes, accessories and money to keep going. We work under the financial umbrella of the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter. We are also always looking for bike repair tools and experienced bike mechanics. As a startup nonprofit we are in need of knowledgeable volunteers for almost every aspect of running an organization.”

John tells me, “At the moment we have more small kid’s bikes and 10-speed bikes than we can give away,” which could change after more folks learn about this wonderful co-op. All donations are much appreciated. The website for the co-op is: gatecitybikecoop.org; email is: gatecitybike coop@gmail.com. Great idea, great cause, great resource for folks in need!

‘Got hanging pots for plants hanging around’?

“I pot up extra houseplants to donate to various agencies’ yard sales and am looking for plastic hanging pots,” writes Brooke S. of Hudson (LTR 1,883). “Finally ran out of all the ones from a previous request. Thank you for this service!” Hanging plants, a simple way to make use of vertical space on a porch, patio, sunroom, or out in the garden, is not a new concept. Some stories date back 3,000 years ago, of Queen Semiranis of the Assyrian Empire designing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. (Some stories indicate the hanging gardens towered hundreds of feet into the air, but archaeological explorations indicate a more modest but still impressive height – pity the guy who climbed up with the watering can). Brooke can be reached at 882-0518. Leave a phone number and message mentioning hanging planters so she’ll know to call you back.

Entertainment center/armoire available

“I have a beautiful, solid cherry entertainment center, natural finish, could be used as armoire,” says Tom F. of Hudson (LTR 1,435). “Left third has shelves behind cherry door; right two thirds has cherry pocket doors with drawer under.” Home entertainment began with radio, which remained the dominant home entertainment media for decades.

Television, first black and white, then color, grew in screen size from small and round to large and flat. Video game systems took prominent space in the entertainment center along with the VCR, DVD player and other electronic devices, yet the ever-evasive remote is still most likely found in or under the sofa. Interested parties wanting more information, photo, dimensions, etc. should contact Tom via email at: tom@finchers.net.

NOTE: ‘Updates’ for publication are always much appreciated so folks can see how well the Mailbag column works, not to mention my own curiosity, along with information for readers who inquire about the status of items offered or sought.

Contact Chris’ Mailbag by emailing christine.graham33@gmail.com or sending mail to Chris’ Mailbag c/o The Telegraph, 110 Main St., Suite 1, Nashua 03060. Include full name and complete address, along with telephone number or email address for publication, if applicable. Items eligible for publication are for donation, trade or barter only; requests of items for sale or purchase will not be included.

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